EPPING – It's been nearly six months since voters approved making energy efficiency mandatory for new non-residential developments.

Businesses are also giving the idea a vote of confidence.

The planning board recently approved TD Banknorth's proposal for construction expected to begin this fall. Town planner Clay Mitchell explained that new developments are allowed to choose a series of options -- which include points for scoring -- to meet the requirements for approval. The energy-efficiency and sustainable-design ordinance requires a business to score at least 5 points to pass.

When developers for TD Banknorth presented their plans, they scored 15 points, the highest number to date.

"The planning board fully supports any business that uses the ordinance as a selling tool, and they should be applauded for that," Mitchell said.

Last September, the planning board heard recommendations from Public Service of New Hampshire on ways to save businesses money in their energy bills.

The board was also looking at ways to lower pollution, increase energy efficiency and maximize savings for new business buildings, and the new ordinance was proposed.

What emerged was a mandatory but flexible ordinance offering a number of ways for non-residential developers to comply.

When the ordinance was voted in, some residents were concerned it would impede development in Epping. Mitchell has not seen that happening.

"You can correspond to your personal beliefs and what is appropriate for your business," Mitchell said. "We wanted to promote innovation."

Mitchell believes it is the only voter-adopted ordinance in New Hampshire and perhaps the entire country. A handful of municipalities around the country have created "green ordinances," but they are approved by city council, rather than the voters, he explained.

In Epping, meanwhile, "The codes are actually trailing businesses," Mitchell said.

For example, W. S. Goodrich, a provider of brick, stone and masonry supplies, was already planning to build a new showroom last fall when the ordinance was adopted.

"Coincidently, even though the ordinance wasn't in place, we already met it," company president Bob Goodrich said. "It was used as an example more than as a model that the ordinance would not have a big effect on stopping commercial development."

The 4,000 square-foot showroom, completed in May, includes windows that are sealed with foam insulation. This type of insulation is more efficient than fiberglass.

W.S. Goodrich also installed lights that last 10 times longer than more traditional bulbs and save energy sixfold. While the fixtures may initially be more expensive, they quickly pay for themselves, Goodrich said.

Four furnaces throughout the building eliminated trying to heat the building from longer distances.

W.S. Goodrich has been a staple in Epping's business scene for more than 100 years. Pursuing energy efficiency simply made sense, Goodrich said. "Using this ordinance will have a payback in a short time," he said.

City another example, he said any of the countertops the company sells are cut and finished on-site. W.S. Goodrich recycles all of the water used to cut the stones. Although the stone dust isn't harmful, recycling keeps it from polluting local streams and reduces water consumption.